Please do not place over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications in the garbage, flush down toilets, or pour in drains. These items contain hazardous substances that can threaten human health and the environment when not disposed of properly. Help protect our water supply by properly disposing of unwanted or expired medications.
View the Sharps & Medication Collection Program brochure (PDF).
Stockton and San Joaquin County residents can drop-off unused or unwanted medicines at the following Stockton locations:
701 E. Channel Street 95202
Accepts non-controlled medications ONLY
(209) 624-5800
1031 Waterloo Road 95205
Accepts non-controlled medications ONLY
(209) 940-5600
(209) 464-7722
7373 West Ln., 1st Floor 95205
Accepts controlled medications
(209) 476-3242
7850 R.A. Bridgeford Street 95206
Accepts non-controlled medications ONLY
(209) 468-3066
For additional locations and information about medication disposal, visit Don’t Rush to Flush at www.dontrushtoflush.org.
If you have medication that you need to dispose of bring it to the next DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Event. See the Drug Enforcement Agency event page for information about future events.
Always Scratch Out Personal Information
To protect your identity and privacy, scratch out any identifying information before disposing of empty or filled containers. Any empty bottles can be thrown in the trash.
Alternative Ways to Recycle
Give to a DEA-Authorized Collector
Some pharmacies and law enforcement offices are registered with the DEA as authorized drug collectors. You can drop-off unused or unwanted drugs at these locations. Find a DEA-authorized disposal location.
Walgreens Safe Medication Disposal Program
Select Walgreens locations now have kiosks for safe medication disposal. Find a kiosk here.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Each April and October the DEA hosts a nationwide drug take back day. Find a drop off location and the date of the next take back day.
Pill Bottle Donation
Donate empty plastic pill bottles to Matthew 25: Ministries for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling.
Ways to Reuse
Repurpose Empty Pill Bottles
Put empty pill bottles to good use by repurposing them as travel containers and organizers for items such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, spare buttons, mini sewing kits, jewelry, coins, earbuds, and other knickknacks and supplies.